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Evaluation of student support services at the Namibia University of Science and Technology Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning

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dc.contributor.advisor Lekhetho, Mapheleba
dc.contributor.author Shikulo, Lukas
dc.date.accessioned 2018-11-15T05:37:30Z
dc.date.available 2018-11-15T05:37:30Z
dc.date.issued 2018-06
dc.identifier.citation Shikulo, Lukas (2018) Evaluation of student support services at the Namibia University of Science and Technology Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25026>
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/25026
dc.description.abstract Quality and effective student support service (SSS) is a critical demand in the ever-changing landscape of distance education. It is common knowledge that distance education students need continuous support during their studies in order to cope with academic demands while attending to other key activities. This study set out to evaluate the implementation of SSS at the Namibia University of Science and Technology Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning (NUST COLL) at different regional centres across Namibia. The objectives of the study were to: identify problems and challenges experienced with the current implementation of SSS, determine the needs of the distance students and propose recommendations for the improvement of SSS at the regional centres. In an attempt to realise the objectives of the study, the study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research design to collect data, by making use of questionnaires, open-ended questions and interviews. The participants included 8 regional coordinators (RC) who were purposively selected and 109 distance students who were selected through stratified and convenience sampling techniques from seven COLL regional centres. It was evident from the findings that most students opted for distance education as it allows them to work and study. Furthermore, many students have been studying for many years without getting any qualification. While NUST was providing different SSS, the findings brought to light some challenges such as the shortage of technological tools, understaffed regional centres, and unavailability of support services on weekends and public holidays and lack of collaboration between marker-tutors, lecturers and regional face-to-face tutors. It is proposed that the current model of SSS should be redesigned to respond to challenges facing distance education students at the regional centres. A model for implementation of SSS was developed to pave the way for effective implementation geared towards reducing the dropout rates and increase success rates. Key terms: Implementation of student support services, technological tools, model for implementation, regional coordinators, academic demands, increase success rates, regional centres, distance education, regional centres, and dropout rates. en
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (xvi, 231 leaves) : color illustrations
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Implementation of student support services en
dc.subject Technological tools en
dc.subject Model for implementation en
dc.subject Regional coordinators en
dc.subject Academic demands en
dc.subject Increase success rates en
dc.subject Regional centres en
dc.subject Distance education en
dc.subject Dropout rates en
dc.subject.ddc 378.194096881
dc.subject.lcsh Namibia University of Science and Technology. Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning en
dc.subject.lcsh Student assistance programs -- Namibia -- Evaluation en
dc.subject.lcsh College students -- Services for -- Namibia -- Evaluation en
dc.subject.lcsh Counseling in higher education -- Namibia -- Evaluation en
dc.subject.lcsh Distance education -- Namibia -- Evaluation en
dc.title Evaluation of student support services at the Namibia University of Science and Technology Centre for Open and Lifelong Learning en
dc.type Thesis en
dc.description.department Educational Leadership and Management en
dc.description.degree D. Ed. (Education Management)


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